Skip to main content
Object Number 99-15-70/53890
Display Title Piece of unfinished tapa
Descriptions
Object Description Piece of unfinished tapa. A light weight, diaphanous, finely pounded cloth formed from a single layer of off-white colored inner bark. The grain direction of the bark fibers runs parallel to the longest dimension of the cloth. The two long sides of the cloth exhibit a natural pounded edge. The edges of the two shorter sides of the cloth appear to have been cut. Manufacture related bisecting horizontal and vertical fold lines are present throughout. Many natural branch related holes also occur throughout. A rubbed design in light yellow-brown and black-brown dye-like colorant has been applied to one side of the cloth. The colorant penetrates the bark fibers and is visible, nearly as clearly, on the reverse of the cloth. No beater marks are evident.
Inventory Description Tapa, fine buff, many holes, brown geometric band design
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Samoa
Dimensions Overall: 118 x 53 x 0.1 cm (46 7/16 x 20 7/8 x 1/16 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 53890
Provenance
Collector Dr. William McMichael Woodworth

Important Note about Historical Language

Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.

PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.1 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Kapa
94-10-70/48375 Kapa
Tapa
Hawaii County
Tapa
32-62-70/D4113 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Hand-painted loincloth
18-20-70/D1149 Hand-painted loincloth
Tapa
New Britain
Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
48-49-70/2922 Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
Felted
Samoa
Tapa
67-9-70/122 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Piece of red tapa cloth
56-41-70/3800.2 Piece of red tapa cloth
Tapa
Papeete
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.4 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa in the process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.3 Tapa in the process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
00-8-70/55415.1 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Aitutaki
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.2 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa
85-7-70/37624 Tapa
Tapa
Honolulu County